Cephalometric device

ABSTRACT

A cephalometric device useful in the preparation of substantially duplicatable skull X-rays is comprised of an elongated boom member having an inner and outer end, a cone holding member connected to the inner end of the boom member, a film cassette holder connected to the outer end of the boom member, a head locator system and an orbital pointer positioned on the boom immediately adjacent to the film cassette holder, and a stand member adapted to position the boom member in a substantially horizontal position. The cephalometric device is adapted to be employed in conjunction with a standard X-ray machine. The combination of cephalometric device and X-ray machine is used to produce lateral view X-ray plates or pictures of the head that are duplicatable within reasonable accuracy.

United States Patent [191 Schwartz et al.

CEPHALOMETRIC DEVICE Filed: July 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 272,295

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 108,325, Jan. 21, 1971, abandoned.

U.S. Cl. 250/444, 250/456 lnt. Cl. G03b 41/16 Field of Search 250/50, 65 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1941 Schier 250/50 8/1958 Thurow..... 5/1970 Rabey 250/50 foo 20 Dec. 11, 1973 Primary ExaminerJames W. Lawrence Assistant Examiner-C. E. Church Attorney-Jerome E. Luecke [57] ABSTRACT A cephalometric device useful in the preparation of substantially duplicatable skull X-rays is comprised of an elongated boom member having an inner and outer end, a cone holding member connected to the inner end of the boom member, a film cassette holder connected to the outer end of the boom member, a head locator system and an orbital pointer positioned on the boom immediately adjacent to the film cassette holder, and a stand member adapted to position the boom member in a substantially horizontal position. The cephalometric device is adapted to be employed in conjunction with a standard X-ray machine. The combination of cephalometric device and X-ray ma chine is used to produce lateral view X-ray plates or pictures of the head that are duplicatable within reasonable accuracy.

8 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure CEPHALOMETRIC DEVICE This is a Continuation of application, Ser. No. 108,325, filed Jan. 21, 1971 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a portable cephalometric device useful in the formation of lateral view X-ray plates of the head of a patient. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a portable mechanical assembly useful in obtaining reproducible diagnostic X-ray pictures (cephalostat X-ray) and lateral plate photographs.

In the practice of dentistry and orthodontia, transverse lateral X-ray views of the skull and lateral view photographs are employed to ascertain the skeletal structure of the patient and to determine the type and degree of treatment called for in any given instance. In the course of treatment, a series of X-ray pictures and- /or facial photographs taken over a period of time are needed to determine the effect of the operations previously employed and to provide information with respect to future treatment. For complete effectiveness, it is necessary that the head of the patient, the film cassette and the X-ray machine and/or conventional camera be located in essentially the same fixed position when each individual X-ray picture and/or photograph is taken to permit an accurate comparison of the X-ray photographs and/or pictures taken over a period of time.

II. Description of the Prior Art Various types of complex systems have been devised by the prior art workers. Typically, ornate systems have been constructed that are characterized by having a head positioning device rigidly interconnected with an X-ray camera. Devices of this general category are depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 2,798,958. Structures of this type possess the disadvantage of not permitting the maximum utilization of the X-ray camera that is fixedly positioned to the total assembly. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, detachable cephalometric device that will both permit the formation of the desired duplicatable, lateral view X-ray pictures and also permit maximum utilization of available dental X-ray equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which the FIG- URE depicted is an elevational view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the instant invention in position for taking the desired lateral view dental X-ray pictures and/or facial photographs.

The present cephalometric device is composed of five major elements. Specifically, the first element of the device is an elongated boom member, preferably of one-piece construction, having an inner and an outer end. To the inner end of the boom member is attached a cone holding member that is adapted to position the longitudinal axis of the protruding cone of the head of a typical X-ray camera substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom member. To the outer end of the boom member is connected a combination film cassette holder reflecting screen (hereinafter referred to as holder). The holder is adapted to position the lateral surface of an X-ray film cassette substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom member. Additionally, the holder serves as areflecting screen or background when the device is used in taking lateral view facialphotographs.

A head locator system is positioned on the boom member inwardly from the holder. Desirably, the head locator system is positioned immediately adjacent to the film cassette holder. The head locator system is comprised of two spaced, substantially X-ray transparent bar members each having an ear locator pin, a nose positioning member located between the bar members, and an orbital pointer (orbitales) that is used to locate the infra orbitral foramen of one eye, preferably the right eye, of the patient. The last major element of the cephalometric device is a stand member that is adapted to position the boom member in a substantially horizontal position and at an appropriate height relative to the stature of the patient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the FIGURE, numeral 10 designates the elongated boom member of the cephalometric device. Desirably, boom member 10 is of one-piece construction although multiple component boom members can be used. For example, the boom member may be hinged or consist of a series of interlocking pieces. A one-piece boom is preferred since its use precludes any distortion of the cephalostat X-ray or facial photograph. Such distortions are possible with the use of booms composed of a plurality of interconnected parts.

A cone holding member 1 l is connected to the inner end of boom member 10. Cone holding member 11 may consist ofa flat plate having an opening or aperture or may be an adjustable diaphragm. The cone holding member 11 is adapted to engage the outer periphery of the protruding cone segment of the head of a typical X-ray machine. As shown in the FIGURE, cone member 50 of X-ray head 60 protrudes through the cone holding member. The cone holding member isconnected to the boom member in a manner such that it is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom member. With this construction the longitudinal axis of the cone of the dental X-ray machine head is maintained substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom member 10.

A combination film cassette holder/reflecting screen 12 is connected to the outer end of boom member 10. The lateral surface of the film cassette holder desirably lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom member. Optionally, the portion of the holder immediately opposite the head locator system may be provided with a bent leaf spring that serves to urge the film cassette against the upper and lower outer edges of slot segments 26 of the film cassette holder. Preferably, the distance separating cone holding member 11* and the film cassette positioned within holder 12 is from about 4.0 to 5.5 feet, most preferably about 4.5 to 5.0 feet. When the device is used in the formation of diagnostic facial photographs, the slot segments 26 can be used to position a member having the desired color or texture needed for the photograph background. Optionally, segments 26 of holder 12 mayterminate at about the point where holder 12 is attached to the boom member 10.

A head locator system is positioned on the boom member inwardly from the holder 12 and in close proximity to holder 12. The head locator system is composed of means for locating the ears, nose and eye of a patient. As shown in the FIGURE, the head locator system is desirably composed of two spaced, U-shaped, substantially X-ray transparent bar members 13, a nose positioning member 14 and orbital pointer 31. Each of the bar members 13 is provided with an opposed ear locator pin 15 that is formed of a material that is opaque to X-rays, e.g., lead. Typically, the bar members may be formed of thermoplastic or thermosetting resinous materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic resins, and the like. Materials sold under the tradename Lucite can be used in the fabrication of the bar members.

As shown in the FIGURE, nose positioning member 14 and orbital pointer 31 are located between the bar members. Preferably, the bar members are adapted to be moved to and from each other to permit their adjustment for various head sizes. The desired slidable action of the bar members can be achieved by forming a slot within boom member 10. Slot 16 is formed to the inside surface of boom member 10. Slides 17 are positioned inside the slot and are adapted to carry the bar members 13 and ear locator pins 15 thereby permitting the free lateral movement of the bar members relative to each other. Nose positioning member 14 is slidably located on the top portion of boom member 10. The bar members 13 and nose positioning member 14 are fixed into position by means of set screws 18 which are threaded through positioning member 19 and, in the case of the bar members, through the portion of the boom member separating the top of the boom member with the internal slot 16.

Orbital pointer 31 consists of an elongated rod whose inner tip portion is preferably formed of an X-ray opaque material, e.g., lead and extends between the bar members. The pointer 31 is slidably engaged within holder 30 which is affixed to the top of the right set screw 18. The orbital pointer can be located at any suitable place on the total assembly provided that the tip of the pointer 31 can, in use, be located in close proximity to the infra orbital foramen of the eye, preferably the right eye, of the patient.

The boom member and associated equipment are maintained in a substantially horizontal position by means of a vertically disposed stand member. The stand member is composed of a telescoping rod member 20 that engages an opening in pivot block 21 that is attached to boom member 10. The lower portion of member 20 is threaded into a base member 22. Preferably, member 20 is adjustable to permit the boom member being located in various horizontal positions thereby permitting adjustment for the height of the patient being studied. With the telescoping rod member 20, cephalostat X-rays can be taken with the patient in the standing or sitting position, depending upon the height limitations of the X-ray machine being used. When not in use, the boom member can be rotated 90 and the top segment of member 20 located in opening 23 of block 21. This arrangement permits storage of the cephalometric device in a minimum of space. The boom member is fixedly mounted to member 20 by means of set screw 24 which is threaded through the boom member and a portion of block member 21.

Conventional facial diagnostic photographs are taken using camera support 51. This support is slidably engaged with boom member and is adapted to be removed from the position depicted in the FIGURE. Further, the position of support 51 relative to cone holding member 11 can be reversed by lifting support 51 from its position on boom member 10, rotating the member and returning the support 51 to its position on the boom by hooking the angular portion of the support 51 over the top of boom member 51. In this position, the

camera support can be used in taking facial photographs without the use of the head positioning equipment. In operation, the camera employed 7 is placed upon the upper flat surface of support 51. The camera may be held in position by passing a set screw through opening 52 of support 51 and thence into the base of the camera.

When the cephalometric device is used, the boom member is located in a horizontal position atop member 20. The height of member 20 is adjusted by telescoping member 20 upwardly or downwardly to account for the height of the sitting or standing patient. The precise height of member 20 is maintained by means of locking sleeve 25 which is threaded upon the lower segment of member 20 and is adapted, when raised upwardly, to engage the outer surface of the upper segment of member 20 thereby locking the two members into position relative to each other. An X-ray film cassette is held in position by means of slot segments 26 of film holder 12. Segments 26 are adapted to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the film cassette.

The cone of the head of the X-ray machine is then positioned within the aperture of lens holding member 11 thereby fixing the longitudinal axis of the cone in a plane substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface of the film cassette. The patients head is then located in close proximity to the film cassette by inserting ear locator pins 15 into the apertures of the ears. The head of the patient is located in an upright position by moving nose positioning member 14 to and fro depending upon the size of the patients head. Lastly, the tip of orbital pointer 31 is located in close proximity to the infra orbitral foramen of the right eye of the patient. This action serves to place the head of the patient in the desired position for obtaining a transverse lateral view of the skull. The use of X-ray opaque materials in forming the tip of the orbital pointer and in ear locator pins 15 permits the ready comparison of a series of X-rays. The locator pins and pointer tip appear as dark points on the X-ray photograph and constitute ready reference marks for future X-ray comparisons. With the present portable cephalometric device the orthodontist and dentist can secure diagnostic pictures that are duplicatable with reasonable accuracy over a period of time.

We claim:

1. A portable cephalometric device comprising:

a. an elongated boom member having an inner end and an outer end;

b. a cone holding member fixed to the inner end of said boom member, said cone holding member adapted to engage the outer periphery of the cone of the head of an X-ray machine to position the longitudinal axis of the cone substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said boom member;

c. a holded fixed to the outer end of said boom member, said holder adapted to position the lateral surface of an X-ray film cassette substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom member;

d. a head locater system positioned on said boom member between said cone holding member and said holder in close proximity to said holder and comprising (i) spaced bar members, each bar member having an opposed ear locater pin and (ii) a nose positioning member located between said bar members; and

e. a stand member adapted to position said boom member in a substantially horizontal position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said head locator system additionally comprises an orbital pointer having a tip portion extending between said bar members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bar members are laterally slidable on the boom member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the nose posiabout 4.5 to 5.0 feet.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a camera support is slidably positioned on said boom member. 

1. A portable cephalometric device comprising: a. an elongated boom member having an inner end and an outer end; b. a cone holding member fixed to the inner end of said boom member, said cone holding member adapted to engage the outer periphery of the cone of the head of an X-ray machine to position the longitudinal axis of the cone substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said boom member; c. a holded fixed to the outer end of said boom member, said holder adapted to position the lateral surface of an X-ray film cassette substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom member; d. a head locater system positioned on said boom member between said cone holding member and said holder in close proximity to said holder and comprising (i) spaced bar members, each bar member having an opposed ear locater pin and (ii) a nose positioning member located between said bar members; and e. a stand member adapted to position said boom member in a substantially horizontal position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said head locator system additionally comprises an orbital pointer having a tip portion extending between said bar members.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bar members are laterally slidable on the boom member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the nose positioning member is slidably located on said boom member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom member is a one-piece member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between the cone holding member and a film cassette positioned within said film cassette holder varies between about 4.0 and 5.5 feet.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the distance between the cone holding member and a film cassEtte positioned within said film cassette holder varies between about 4.5 to 5.0 feet.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a camera support is slidably positioned on said boom member. 